Edu now eligible for selection, Janniere waived

May 7, 20124:27PM MDT

COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Monday, May 7, 2012) – The Colorado Rapids announced on Monday that forward Edu, who has experience in Spain’s La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, has received his ITC and P-1 work visa and is now eligible for selection. In a pair of other roster moves, the Rapids waived Josh Janniere and added Ross LaBauex to the Disabled List.

“In adding Edu to our roster, we’ve given our team more options and depth in attack,” said Rapids Technical Director Paul Bravo. “We’ve also had to make other roster moves, and would like to wish Josh the best moving forward.”

Edu, a native of São Paulo, Brazil, made his professional debut with São Paulo Futebol Clube of Brazil in 1997 and played from 2000-2009 in La Liga, the top division in Spain, with Celta de Vigo and Real Betis. He moved back to Brazil in 2009, and has since played with Internacional and Vitória in his home country.

Janniere, a midfielder from Hamilton, Ontario, was acquired before the 2011 season from Toronto FC but has not made an MLS appearance. His one official match for the Rapids was a U.S. Open Cup play-in match on March 30, 2011. Midfielder LaBauex, who recently underwent successful sports hernia surgery and is expected to be out 4-6 weeks, will miss a minimum of six matches while on the Disabled List.

The Rapids will next face D.C. United on the road on May 16 before returning to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City to face Sporting Kansas City on Saturday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. MT.